Philippe started practicing aikido in 1970. He quickly went on to study with top Japanese masters (Nobuyoshi Tamura, Masamichi Noro and Kobayashi Sensei) in France and abroad. He met Katsuaki Asai Sensei during a seminar taught by master Noro. This encounter was decisive as he traveled to study with him for 7 years in Germany. In 1978, he met Christian Tissier which finally put him on the tracks of his current aikido practice. Since that day, he has constantly been studying under Tissier Shihan and progressed along with him. Philippe also met Seigo Yamaguchi Sensei whom he practiced with regularly during his many trips to Japan. He was technical director for the Rhône-Alpes region for 15 years and he now regularly teaches seminars in France and Europe. In this interview, Philippe unveils the concepts behind his practice. Encounter with a golden hearted giant.

Guillaume Erard: How did you start aikido?

Philippe Gouttard: I started aikido as something extremely physical. For me, this was sport, I wanted to be a world champion.

G.E.: Indeed you were a sportsman...

P.G.: ...soccer, I was playing soccer... a lot; I wanted to be a pro. I was at the AS Saint-Étienne during the golden years while the likes of Larqué, Piazza and Rocheteau were there. Basically I wanted to be the next generation. Perhaps I didn't have what it takes to make it but I was training like a lunatic, 5 hours a day.
I discovered aikido quite unintentionally. One day, I read an add saying: "become invincible in 11 lessons" so I thought, 11 classes, why not? I actually ended up in the wrong place in the aikido dojo and I asked the teacher "I am coming for the 11 lessons". He laughed and said "start with one"; I have never stopped since. I do wonder however what was the guy of the 11 lessons doing, I wish I had been there to check it out. At the time, nobody knew what aikido was and I got injured many times because of that.

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